Hold-down device for vises and the like



Sept. 17, 1935. 3. HIRTH 2,m4,%7

HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR VISES AND THE LIKE Filed March 31, 1934 4/. M m 4 ZI Hl\- i I H y W INVENTOR BY W ATTORNEY Patented Sept. 17, 1935 PATENTOFFICE HOLD-DOWN DEVICE FOR VISES AND THE LIKE Christoph Hirth, Butler,N. J.

Application March 31, 1934, Serial No. 718,370

3 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in holddown devices for Vises,work holders of planers, milling machines and the like and consists ofan improved device having important advantages over devices for asimilar purpose as heretofore used.

My improved device is of an improved design and simplified constructionresulting in a holddown device or attachment that may be economicallyproduced and which, in use, will be highly efficient in securing thework and of adequate strength to perform its function and which willpermit of the assembly or setting of the work within the vise withgreater facility by reason of the hold-down device being formed for selfsup port with pre-adjustment of its holding jaw thereby fully to relievethe hands for adjusting the work and tightening of the vise.

The described and other important features of my improvements are shownin the accompanying drawing, wherein like reference characters areapplied to the corresponding parts in the several views.

In the drawing, Fig. 1 is a view in side elevation with portions invertical section illustrating my improved hold-down device assembledwith a vise and the work clamped therein.

Fig. 2 is a view of my improved, hold-down attachment shown inperspective.

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the toggle holding members of my device withthe supporting frame member shown in horizontal section.

Fig. 4 is a partial view similar to Fig. 1 illustrating my improveddevice as employed in position suspended from the upper portion of thevise jaw member.

As here illustrated, the device of my invention is shown as used inconjunction with a vise or clamping means comprising the'usualsupporting or base member I, provided with the fixed jaw portion 2 andsupporting in suitable bearings an adjusting screw 3, upon which isthreaded the movable jaw 4, which is accordingly adjustable withrelation to jaw 2 upon rotation of the operating screw 3. In the usualarrangement the base portion I is provided with opposite parallel sidemembers providing a guideway for the movable jaw 4 and forming a bearingrest for the work. As is well understood, in many operations it isrequired that the work will be held down securely against the bearingrest or supporting member I, while being operated upon in a manner toresist upward movement or lifting of the work and for this purpose myimproved device is in tended to function more effectively than havedevices heretofore used for this purpose.

In the approved embodiment of the features of my invention as hereshown, the improved hold-down device is of simplified construction,being composed of but three parts, a supporting wire frame member 6 anda toggle action jaw member consisting of a vise jaw engaging member Iand a work engaging jaw member 8 having pivotal connection therewith.The toggle action jaw 10 member as best illustrated in Fig. 1, under theclosing pressure of the vise jaw, will produce a downward pressure uponthe work indicated at W as a resultof the downward inclination of thejaw member 8 with relation to the co-acting jaw member I and. thepivotal connection therewith provided by the curved groove 9 formedlongitudinally of the member I and the rounded inner edge [I] of the jawmember 8 fitted therein.

As best shown in Fig. 2, the supporting or frame member 5 is formed of asingle piece of wire with vertical side loop portions I I providingguide- Ways for the toggle acting jaw member 'I-8 which is clampedthere-between in a manner to secure the jaw members together in theirproper coopder engagement of the jaw member I being such as to positionsaid member in proper Vertical relation to the guideway II and theshoulder engaging surface I 4 of the work engaging jaw member having aslight inclination or angular relation to normally establish thedownward inclination of the jaw 3 with relation to the work.

In the use of the hold-down device so constructed, the hold-downattachments may be positioned as shown in Fig. 1 with the ofiset portionI2 of the frame member resting upon the oposite side members of the baseportion of the vise and with the toggle acting jaw members adjusted toany desired height with relation to the work; this adjustment being madeby sliding the jaw members up or down within the guideway loops withinwhich they are resiliently clamped.

As thus positioned, the hold-down attachment is self-sustained,permitting free use of both hands of the operator for tightening of thevise for clamping of the work placed to bear upon the base I of thevise. As will be understood upon tightening of the vise, the toggleaction of the hold-down jaw members will increase the holding pressurethereof under any upward pressure and movement of the work. It istherefore firmly retained in position.

As shown in Fig. 4, the lateral offsetting of the connecting portion l2of the frame member allows of the hold-down device being used in aposition, inverted relative to that shown in Fig. 1. When so used, thetoggle jaw members are first removed from the frame and reversed inposition and the device is suspended from the upper surface of the visejaw as indicated. The toggle jaw B is then as shown downwardly inclinedwith relation to the work so that tightening of the vise will produce adownward pressure on the work.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A hold-down attachment for vises and the like comprising a supportingframe having at each side thereof vertical, spaced, resilient membersforming guide-ways, a two-part articulated jaw fitted within theguide-ways and held in assembled relation by said resilient members, oneof said jaw members being formed with a grooved bearing surface, theother with a rounded edge received therein and said jaw members havingshoulder engagement with the resilient frame members, said shouldershaving a relative angular relation normally to position the workengaging jaw member downwardly inclined with relation thereto.

2. A hold-down attachment for vises and the like comprising a supportingframe having at each side thereof vertical, spaced, resilient membersforming guide-ways, a two-part articulated jaw fitted within theguideways and held in assembled relation by said resilient members, oneof said jaw members being formed with a grooved bearing surface, theother with a rounded edge received therein and said jaw members having arelative angular relation normally to position the work-engaging jawmember downwardly inclined with relation thereto, said supporting framehaving an offset connecting portion adapted for suspending the devicefrom the upper surface of the vise jaw.

3. A hold-down attachment for vises and the like comprising bent wiresupporting frame having at each side thereof vertical, spaced, resilientmembers forming guide-ways, a two-part articulated jaw fitted within theguide-ways and held in assembled relation by said resilient members, oneof said jaw members being formed with a grooved bearing surface,extending longitudinally thereof, the other with a complementallyrounded edge received therein for swivelaction and said jaw membersbeing formed to have shoulder engagement with the resilient framemembers and said shoulders having a relative angular relation normallyto position the inner jaw member downwardly inclined.

CHRISTOPH HIRTH.

